Journalists to protest if curbs on channels, newspapers not lifted

 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Friday announced that if the ‘no-go areas’ artificially formed to block the transmission of Geo and ARY News and circulation of leading newspapers Jang and The News are not eliminated within 24 hours, then it would set up protest camps in front of press clubs across the country.
Addressing a protest rally in front of the National Press Club (NPC), PFUJ President Afzal Butt said they would continue to protest till the transmissions of both Geo and ARY News were restored all over the country.

“We want to give a clear message to the government, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and defence institutions that we have achieved freedom of press after a long and hard struggle and if anyone tries to deprive us of it, then we will launch a strong protest movement in the country,” he said.

He said Pemra suspends licences of news channels in such a hurry it seems it is issuing orders to close down a general store. “Pemra should mend its ways because journalists will not make any compromise over the freedom of press.”

PFUJ Secretary General Khursheed Abbasi said Geo News had completed the sentence period but it was still being blocked in various areas and there were clearly ‘no-go areas’ for this channel and the relevant authorities were acting like silent spectators.

“We will launch such a strong protest movement that those trying to curb the freedom of press will find no way except to bow down before the demands of journalists,” he said. The chairman All Pakistan Council of Press Clubs, Arshad Ansari, said they condemned the efforts being made to block the circulation of Jang and The News and the relevant government institutions should play their due role in line with the rules and procedures.

RIBJA President Amir Butt said there was a conspiracy to divide the media with an aim to mute those voices that raise the issues of marginalised people and insist for the rule of law in the country.

Later, PFUJ President Afzal Butt, Secretary General Khursheed Abbasi, NPC Secretary General Tariq Chaudhry, RIUJ Secretary General Bilal Dar and senior journalist Qurban Satti presented a memorandum to officials of the Egyptian Embassy against the imprisonment of three journalists in Egypt.

Gen Raheel chose to allay fears of media curbs

 

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Raheel Sharif’s address to the Martyrs Day function was different in at least one important aspect from his predecessor Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s speech delivered on the similar occasion at the same venue a year back – support to the freedom of the media and responsible journalism and appreciation of journalists’ sacrifices.
This difference, emerging from a comparison of the two discourses, was obviously included in Raheel Sharif’s relatively brief remarks in view of the post-Hamid Mir assassination attempt situation. And its specific objective was to allay fears and apprehensions that the freedom of media was under threat from the Pakistan Army. His declaration will be put to test in the days to come. The independent media is optimistic that he will pass the test with flying colours.

“The media has played a key role in rallying public opinion on matters of national security. We support the freedom of the press and responsible journalism and appreciate (journalists’) sacrifices,” he said.

When he spoke about the media’s key role, he clearly talked about it in whole, without making any distinction or discrimination or excluding any group or outlet from it.

When Raheel Sharif addressed the martyrs’ day ceremony, the political atmosphere and milieu is entirely different from the one that prevailed when Kayani spoke. At the time, fresh general elections were just ten days away, and Kayani felt the dire need to assure again and again that the polls would be held on the given day. On the eve of every parliamentary polls in Pakistan, certain vested interests keep harping on the theme that the electoral exercise would not be held at all.

When the incumbent army chief chaired the martyrs’ day function, a large number of “unemployed job-seekers” have been busy for several days, drumming up the grim scenario that the democratic dispensation was about to be derailed by an unconstitutional intervention. They kept struggling hard to push Pakistan back to a dark era.

Therefore, to give a telling message to this disgruntled lot Raheel Sharif deemed it fit to reaffirm the armed forces’ commitment to ensuring the stability of democracy and supremacy of the Constitution and said that “this is the only way to cement our place among the developed nations.” He also lauded the efforts of the media and civil society towards the greater goal of nation-building.

While burning in the fire of jealousy and to buoy up their ratings and business interests at the cost of the Jang Group, some private TV channels crossed all limits of professionalism and decency in slamming the Geo. Geo’s few hours’ transmission in the wake of the murder attempt on Hamid Mir was made an excuse to hammer the outlet for over a week and to provoke the security establishment against the media house. The army chief’s statement ensuring freedom of the media to all and sundry may be an eye-opener for them as it has nailed their campaign.

Keeping in view the then prevailing environment, the COAS had to assure: the army stands committed to wholeheartedly assist and support the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections, to the best of its capabilities and remaining within the confines of the Constitution; this support will solely be aimed at strengthening democracy and rule of law; like every Pakistani the army has endeavoured to strengthen democracy in the last five years with the hope that the next elections would steer Pakistan towards betterment; now, once the destination is in sight, we must not err in fulfilling our responsibilities towards the election process; the real virtue of democracy ultimately lies in the safety and welfare of the masses.”

Raheel Sharif and Kayani gave a clear message to the militants and non-state actors in their own ways and words. “All groups must accept the writ of the State failing which the army is more than capable of dealing with threats from insurgents; the army supports all efforts to eliminate the threat of terrorism and restore peace in the country; today, we as a nation are faced with a war in which all institutions of the State are fighting alongside the armed forces, which stand for peace, but we are always ready to respond to any acts of aggression,” the incumbent army chief said.

His predecessor had said he sincerely desired that all those who have strayed and picked up arms against the nation return to the national fold. This is only possible once they unconditionally submit to the State, its Constitution and the rule of law. There is no room for doubts when it comes to dealing with rebellion against the State.

The impression spread by the out-of-job lot that Defence Minister Khawaja M Asif is a pariah in the eyes of the army after his anti-Pervez Musharraf statements was also dispelled with his presence at the martyrs’ day function. He later tweeted: “yesterday attended a very touching ceremony.... remembering the heroes who gave ultimate sacrifice, so that we can live in security & peace...”

Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who was also among the invitees, said in two tweets that attended Martyrs Day at GHQ, relaxed khaki-mufti interaction, good speech by Army Chief at moving ceremony for heroes in anti-terror fight; Martyrs Day, 5th in a row, is unique commemoration as it lauds both civilian & military martyrs + families & their sacrifices for motherland”.

'Other Woman' curbs 'Captain America' with $24.7M

LOS ANGELES: A femme-fueled comedy beat a superhero blockbuster at the box office this weekend.

After holding the top position for three weeks, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" has been topped by "The Other Woman" for the No. 1 spot.

Fox´s revenge comedy, starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton, debuted with $24.7 million, while Disney-Marvel´s "Captain America," led by Chris Evans, grossed $16 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its domestic total to $225 million.

The PG-13 rating of Nick Cassavetes directed "The Other Woman" — about three ladies wronged by a three-timing spouse played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau of "Game of Thrones" — helped it draw a larger audience, says Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst of box-office tracker Rentrak.

"The rating was perfect," he said. "If you are going for the mainstream audience who is looking for something that has a little bit of an edge, but not too much, you can hit that sweet spot and draw a large audience."

The release date couldn´t have been better, Dergarabedian noted. "This was the perfect time to release this film, between the success of ´Captain America´ and before the official start of the summer movie season with ´Spider-Man 2.´

"Hollywood hasn´t yet seen a comedy do especially well at the box office in 2014 since "Ride Along," which was released in January. Domestically, Jason Bateman´s "Bad Words" made only $7.7 million overall. Tyler Perry´s "The Single Moms Club" brought in $16 million domestically. Most of his films have grossed over $40 million domestically. And Marlon Wayans´ sequel "A Haunted House 2" opened with $8.8 million, drastically down from the original´s $18 million debut.

"Sometimes it´s about casting," Dergarabedian said. "When you have Cameron Diaz in a comedy like this, it´s hard not to knock it out of the park. This film is right in her wheelhouse. This is what she does best."

While Diaz´s last film, thriller "The Counselor," grossed only $17 million domestically last year, her foul-mouthed 2011 comedy "Bad Teacher" earned over $100 million stateside.

"Captain America" has now hit over $645 million globally, surpassing its 2011 original "The First Avenger," which earned $370 million. The sequel is the highest-grossing April release ever.

Sony´s faith-based "Heaven Is for Real," starring Greg Kinnear, held the third-place position with $13.8 million after opening in the same slot last weekend behind leaders "Captain America" and Fox´s animated "Rio 2," which drifted down to fourth place with $13.7 million.

Relativity Media´s action crime drama "Brick Mansions," starring the late Paul Walker, was No. 5 with $9.6 million. The film was one of the last Walker completed before he died in a car accident in November. To finish "Fast & Furious 7," which will be released April 2015, Walker´s brothers, Caleb and Cody Walker, have stepped in to complete their brother´s action scenes.

It´s a solid debut after the film was pushed back from its original release date in February.

In one of his first interviews since the announcement from Universal Pictures, the studio behind the "Fast & Furious" franchise, Cody Walker broke down in tears when talking on Fox´s Baltimore TV affiliate about his late brother´s charitable work last week.

Johnny Depp´s sci-fi disappointment "Transcendence" dropped from No. 4 to No. 6 in its second weekend, earning $4.1 million. The Warner Bros. film is Depp´s third consecutive flop after 2013´s Western "The Lone Ranger," in which he played Tonto, and 2012 quirky vampire flick "Dark Shadows."

Could the A-lister be losing his appeal at the box office? Depp´s last film to exceed $100 million domestically was "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in 2011. Perhaps his upcoming Disney fantasy "Into the Woods," also starring Meryl Streep, will fare better.

Also opening this weekend was Lionsgate´s "The Quiet Ones," starring Jared Harris ("Mad Men") as an Oxford professor who recruits students to conduct an experiment to prove supernatural abilities exist. The horror film´s take was a mere $4 million.

Next weekend, Sony-Marvel´s "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" kicks off the summer movie season with its domestic debut. The 18 weeks of summer constitutes on average 40 percent of the year´s box office earnings, Dergarabedian said.

"Spider-Man 2" has already premiered internationally in locations like South Korea and Russia. In its second weekend of international release, it made $132 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday:1. "The Other Woman," $24.7 million.2. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," $16 million.3. "Heaven Is for Real," $13.8 million.4. "Rio 2," 13.7 million.5. "Brick Mansions," $9.6 million.6. "Transcendence," $4.1 million.7. "The Quiet Ones," $4 million.8. "Bears," $3.6 million.9. "Divergent," $3.6 million.10. "A Haunted House 2," $3.3 million. (AP)

Other Woman' curbs 'Captain America' with $24.7M

LOS ANGELES: A femme-fueled comedy beat a superhero blockbuster at the box office this weekend.

After holding the top position for three weeks, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" has been topped by "The Other Woman" for the No. 1 spot.

Fox´s revenge comedy, starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton, debuted with $24.7 million, while Disney-Marvel´s "Captain America," led by Chris Evans, grossed $16 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its domestic total to $225 million.

The PG-13 rating of Nick Cassavetes directed "The Other Woman" — about three ladies wronged by a three-timing spouse played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau of "Game of Thrones" — helped it draw a larger audience, says Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst of box-office tracker Rentrak.

"The rating was perfect," he said. "If you are going for the mainstream audience who is looking for something that has a little bit of an edge, but not too much, you can hit that sweet spot and draw a large audience."

The release date couldn´t have been better, Dergarabedian noted. "This was the perfect time to release this film, between the success of ´Captain America´ and before the official start of the summer movie season with ´Spider-Man 2.´

"Hollywood hasn´t yet seen a comedy do especially well at the box office in 2014 since "Ride Along," which was released in January. Domestically, Jason Bateman´s "Bad Words" made only $7.7 million overall. Tyler Perry´s "The Single Moms Club" brought in $16 million domestically. Most of his films have grossed over $40 million domestically. And Marlon Wayans´ sequel "A Haunted House 2" opened with $8.8 million, drastically down from the original´s $18 million debut.

"Sometimes it´s about casting," Dergarabedian said. "When you have Cameron Diaz in a comedy like this, it´s hard not to knock it out of the park. This film is right in her wheelhouse. This is what she does best."

While Diaz´s last film, thriller "The Counselor," grossed only $17 million domestically last year, her foul-mouthed 2011 comedy "Bad Teacher" earned over $100 million stateside.

"Captain America" has now hit over $645 million globally, surpassing its 2011 original "The First Avenger," which earned $370 million. The sequel is the highest-grossing April release ever.

Sony´s faith-based "Heaven Is for Real," starring Greg Kinnear, held the third-place position with $13.8 million after opening in the same slot last weekend behind leaders "Captain America" and Fox´s animated "Rio 2," which drifted down to fourth place with $13.7 million.

Relativity Media´s action crime drama "Brick Mansions," starring the late Paul Walker, was No. 5 with $9.6 million. The film was one of the last Walker completed before he died in a car accident in November. To finish "Fast & Furious 7," which will be released April 2015, Walker´s brothers, Caleb and Cody Walker, have stepped in to complete their brother´s action scenes.

It´s a solid debut after the film was pushed back from its original release date in February.

In one of his first interviews since the announcement from Universal Pictures, the studio behind the "Fast & Furious" franchise, Cody Walker broke down in tears when talking on Fox´s Baltimore TV affiliate about his late brother´s charitable work last week.

Johnny Depp´s sci-fi disappointment "Transcendence" dropped from No. 4 to No. 6 in its second weekend, earning $4.1 million. The Warner Bros. film is Depp´s third consecutive flop after 2013´s Western "The Lone Ranger," in which he played Tonto, and 2012 quirky vampire flick "Dark Shadows."

Could the A-lister be losing his appeal at the box office? Depp´s last film to exceed $100 million domestically was "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in 2011. Perhaps his upcoming Disney fantasy "Into the Woods," also starring Meryl Streep, will fare better.

Also opening this weekend was Lionsgate´s "The Quiet Ones," starring Jared Harris ("Mad Men") as an Oxford professor who recruits students to conduct an experiment to prove supernatural abilities exist. The horror film´s take was a mere $4 million.

Next weekend, Sony-Marvel´s "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" kicks off the summer movie season with its domestic debut. The 18 weeks of summer constitutes on average 40 percent of the year´s box office earnings, Dergarabedian said.

"Spider-Man 2" has already premiered internationally in locations like South Korea and Russia. In its second weekend of international release, it made $132 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday:1. "The Other Woman," $24.7 million.2. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," $16 million.3. "Heaven Is for Real," $13.8 million.4. "Rio 2," 13.7 million.5. "Brick Mansions," $9.6 million.6. "Transcendence," $4.1 million.7. "The Quiet Ones," $4 million.8. "Bears," $3.6 million.9. "Divergent," $3.6 million.10. "A Haunted House 2," $3.3 million. (AP)

Curbs on Geo unacceptable: Lahore Press Club seminar

LAHORE: A large number of journalists from different media organisations, senior lawyers and representatives of various political parties on Saturday unanimously rejected any curbs on Geo News.

They vowed to foil any conspiracy against freedom of expression and demanded the immediate arrest of the elements involved in the attack on Hamid Mir.

At a seminar ‘Geo ki Bandish Na Manzoor’ (Banning Geo is unacceptable) at the Lahore Press Club, the speakers expressed the resolve to safeguard media freedom and leave no stone unturned for achieving the cause.

The major speakers on the occasion included Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore leader Ameer-ul-Azeem, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, Sarwar Malik Advocate and senior journalists including Khawar Naeem Hashmi, Bedar Bakht Butt, Maqsood Butt, Sabir Shah, Salman Ghani, Naseem Qureshi, Latif Chaudhry, Gohar Butt, Amjad Warraich, Bakht Geer Chaudhry, Rizwan Razi, Omar Sharif, Eesar Rana, Waseem Farooq, Wasif Nagi, Shahbaz Mian and Anjum Fayyaz.

They paid rich tributes to senior journalist Hamid Mir while describing him as the voice of the nation and said the entire nation stood with him.

They also stated that the event was a vote against any move to curb media freedom and impose restrictions on Geo News which were not acceptable under any pretext.